Conduit.



H. H. BALLIBTT.

coNDUIT. APPLICATION FILED APR.`29, 1911.

Patqnted June 11, 1912.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., wAsHxNGTON, n. C.

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HOWARD H. BALLIETT, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN I-I. PARKER, OF CLIFTONDALE, MASSACHUSETTS.

l v CONDUIT.

specification of Letters Patent.

PatnteaJune 11,1912.

Application led April 29, 1911. SeraI'No. 624,273.

invented a new anduseful Improvementin Conduits; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descrip-` tion thereof.

My invention relates to exible conduits and has special reference to such conduits for use with electric wires.

The object of my invent-ionis to providey a flexible conduit for electrical wiresv and other purposes, which while possessing the necessary rigidity, flexibility, and insulating properties, may curves without causing angles or sharp ridges in such conduit and without seriously injuring or breaking any of the component parts thereof, as well as providing a smooth interior in the conduit which will permit of the wires being pulled through the same without catching or piling up therein.

To these ends my invention consists, gen-l erally stated, in the novel arrangement, construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more specifically set forth and described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

To enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to construct and use my improved flexible conduit, I will describe the same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of conduit. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view of the same on the line 3-3, Fig. 1. Fig. l is a side view of the conduit having parts of the layers broken away to show the construction. Fig. 5 is a like view showing some of the parts reversed. Fig., 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sheets employed for forming the tubes.

As illustrated in the drawing and as shown particularly in Fig. 4, my improved rflexible conduit l is formed to the shape and size desired on a suitable mandrel 2 orother tube forming device, and consists of the inner tube 3, which is formed of sheet fiber o r any other suitable flexible material, and is provided with the indentations l on the be readily bentto form outer faceof the same, such indentations being inclined at an angle and at equal distances apart throughout the sheet forming such tube, while the longitudinal edges k5 of such sheet fiber are abutted together to foligm a perfectly smooth interior in such tu e.

`formed on the Vmandrel 2 and the longitudi After the inner tube 3 has beenV` nal edges 5 of the same secured together in any suitable manner, the intermediate wrapping 6 is applied exteriorly to the same, and

consists of a layer of muslin, cotton, or

any other suitable textile fabric which is yplaced over the tube 3 and then permeated with a cementitious or adhesive compound which in addition to holding the same in ,place upon said tube will resist moisture and be waterproof. After the tube 3 has "been covered` with the intermediate wrapping 6, and permeated with the cementitious compound as described, another ber sheet 7 similar to that forming said tube is applied exteriorly to the intermediate wrapping 6 and has its longitudinal edges 8 abutted together similar t-o the edges 5 of said tube and diametrically opposite to such abutment, while the cementitious compound on said wrapping will hold such sheet in place and prevent said longitudinal edges from separating. The ber sheet 7 is provided with indentations 9 upon vthe inner face of the same, and such excoriations are inclined at an angle and in the opposite direction from those on the tube 3. After the sheet 7 has been applied to the intermediate wrapping 6 a covering 10 of braided or woven fabric is applied, which if desired may be treated with a waterproof and slow burning compound, and thus form the complete conduit. 'Ihe excoriations l and 9 on the tube 3 and sheet 7 respectively, being in opposite directions from each other will provide for the flexibility desired and do not necessarily need to be on the side specilied, but may be reversedin some cases, so that if the excoriations 4 on the tube 3 should be placed on the interior of such tube as shown in Fig. 5 they will not interfere with the passage of wires through the same nor in any manner interfere with the flexibility of the conduit. After the conduit has been so formed it may be subjected to, and saturated with a slow burning and waterproof composition to cover the surfaces of the same, while to such surfaces powdered mica, soapstone or other suitable substance may be applied to relieve such composition of sticlriness usually attendant on the same.

It will thus be seen that my improved flexible conduit may be easily and quickly formed and will be of a slow burning construction, as well as being proof against moisture and water, while at thesame time the form and construction of the conduit will. enable the parts to be securely held to-V gether by means of the intermediate wrapping being secured to the adjacent parts by the cementitious compound, so that they will be prevented from separating or being removed from the conduit.

If desired, the-intermediate textile fabricv can be dispensed with and the cementitious compound applied to the inner tube, while various other modications and changes in thevform, preparation and minor details of construction in my improved conduit may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing Washington, D. C.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A flexible conduit comprising an inner tube formed of a sheet having angular par-- allel indentations on its outer surface, a wrapping around said tube and comprising a sheet having angular parallel indentations on its inner surface in an opposite direction to those on the inner tube, and an outer covering applied around said wrapping.

2. A flexible conduit comprising an inner tube formed from a sheet having angular parallel indentations on its outer surface, a

Ywrapping around said tube and comprising hand. f

HOWARD H. BALLIETT.

Witnesses: f p y l -T. B. HUMPHRIns,

J. N. COOKE;

the Commissioner of Patents, 

